Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation The conditions and timetable for the launch of fifth-generation communications in Russia were determined. The four major operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon and T2) will allocate 90 MHz in the 4630-4990 MHz band without auction.
In the first phase, operators will launch 5G within a technology-neutral framework on frequencies already used by existing networks (including LTE) in cities with a population of more than one million. Comprehensive coverage of the 4.63-4.99 GHz (n79) target range will appear in the most popular locations in major cities by the end of 2028, with coverage continuing to expand over three years thereafter. It is planned to force a phased transition to Russian base stations from 2027 to the end of 2031.
Modems in iPhones (starting with the iPhone 12 series) have hardware support for the n79 band (4400-5000 MHz), but Apple strictly controls 5G inclusion at the carrier profile level in iOS. Without Apple’s official interaction and network certification leaving the Russian Federation, the iPhone will not activate support for fifth-generation communications in the country.
By 2032, regulators plan to force the Internet to use the domestic encryption algorithm NEA 7 (“Grasshopper”). Until then, base stations will use international protocols (SNOW, AES, ZUC), but after 2032, any foreign smartphone that does not support Russian encryption hardware will not be able to connect to domestic 5G networks.
